Thursday, May 11, 2017

Time flies much too fast. In less than two weeks Laura, my favorite niece, will be graduating from college. And we will all be making the trek out east to witness and celebrate her milestone moment. There are still days when I look at her and clearly see her three year old, five year, and eighteen year old faces, to name just a few. I feel fortunate to have been able to watch her grow into a beautiful, kind, smart, funny, accomplished young woman. And to this day, I remain more than grateful to God she didn't break her three year old neck landing hard as she flew off a swing while under my watch. Laura has so many admirable, enviable qualities I don't know where to begin listing them all. The one making the earliest appearance in her life was her fiercely determined spirit. As a preschooler she had very strong feelings about how to comb (or not comb) her hair or what she wanted to wear (or rather not wear). Thankfully she possesses a strong forgiving spirit. Or we may not have as close as a relationship we share today. To say that I am proud of the person Laura has become would be an understatement. If the world gave her back only some of what she has given it already, she will have a blessed, happy, successful life. But, of course, as her aunt, I want the world to give her more.

Her graduation weekend will include meals filled great food and amazing wine. It is fitting we are having a celebratory dinner at the Italian restaurant in Boston my sister has raved about as Laura spent a study abroad semester in Florence. As much as I am looking forward to what will undoubtedly be an amazing dinner, I am also looking forward to making her this Amatriciana Estiva when she comes back home for a couple of weeks.

Amatriciana, one of the better known sauces in Rome, means "in the style of Amatrice" (a town in the province of Rieti located in central Italy). This traditional, classic tomato sauce is prepared with guanciale (cured pork cheek), tomatoes, and grated pecorino romano cheese. Garlic, onions, and olive oil have worked their way into variations of Amatriciana, however, onion is the least favored ingredient. This version, shared in the cookbook 'Tasting Rome: Fresh Flavors & Forgotten Recipes from an Ancient City" adheres very closely to the early 19th and 20th century recipes as there is an almost negligible amount of extra-virgin olive oil and only clove of garlic.

Simple, fresh ingredients are the hallmarks of the Amatriciana. Fresh cherry tomatoes, garlic, basil, pecorino romano cheese, and guanicale. Considered by some to be a delicacy, guanciale is an unsmoked Italian bacon made from the pig's cheek. Nothing else adds the same kind of luxurious flavor to a sauce. In other words, there are no substitutions for it in an Amatriciana sauce.

The original recipe called for the use of bomboletti pasta. Translated it means short ribbed pasta. If by some chance you don't find a pound bag of pasta labeled as bomboletti, look for a mezzi rigatoni. Mezzi rigatoni comes in varying sizes. For this recipe you want to find one, preferably imported, about an inch long and about a half inch wide. I used this one, a Mezzi Rigatoni 18 made by Divella.

Cut into matchstick pieces, the guanciale is cooked in one teaspoon, yes only one teaspoon, of extra-virgin olive oil until it is a beautiful golden brown and crispy. Using a heavy bottomed cast iron pan the guanciale took almost ten (10) minutes to be cooked to perfection. After removing and placing the pieces of guanciale on a plate lined with a paper towel, the rendered fat is poured into a heat proof glass measuring cup. Making it easier to return only half of it back into the pan before adding the garlic. As a self-professed garlic lover, I wanted to use more than one clove of garlic. But instead had a feeling this was a sauce calling for garlic restraint. For all of you garlic lover kindred spirits out there, one clove was all this sauce needed. Any more and it would have been an unfortunate distraction.

There are one and a half pounds of cherry tomatoes in this sauce. While cherry tomatoes are not yet in abundance at the farmer's markets, the cherry tomatoes on the vine found in many grocery stores worked well. I happened to find some San Marzano tomatoes at one of my local ethnic grocery stores. They are about the same size as a cherry tomato although they have an oblong shape. I decided to use a combination of the two tomatoes. While I can't compare sauces made with only one tomato variety or two, I can tell you I absolutely loved the depth of tomato flavor from the use of both the cherry and San Marzano tomatoes. So if you can find them near where you live, try this variation.

In less than ten minutes over medium heat, the tomatoes fall apart, creating a thick, velvety sauce. Some fresh basil, sea salt, grated pecorino romano cheese, and the cooked guanciale all add to the complexity of this rather seemingly simple sauce.

If you are planning on serving this dish immediately, start bringing a large pot of water to a rolling boil while you begin making the sauce. By time the sauce is almost finished, you should be ready to put the pasta in the water. Cook only until very al dente. Not al dente, very al dente. Note: The pasta will continue to cook in the sauce. After adding the very al dente pasta to the tomato sauce, add about one cup of the pasta water or enough to barely cover the top of the pasta. Some of the water will evaporate as well as be absorbed by the pasta. If one cup of pasta water is not enough, you can always add more. If you add too much at the start, you risk having a runny sauce or very overcooked pasta.

The one half cup of freshly, finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese used in this dish is divided equally. Half is mixed into the sauce itself, the other half is used to finish off the plated pasta. I don't know about you, but measuring grated cheese in a measuring cup had been a challenge. A half cup of grated Pecorino Romano cheese weighs two (2) ounces. To overcome this challenge as well as to avoid turning beautiful finely grated cheese into an ugly clump, I use a scale. It's one of those kitchen tools I can't live without. After using a scale for awhile you begin to get a sense of what a half-cup of grated Pecorino Romano looks like (and it doesn't look like it would fit into into a half measuring cup). If you don't have one, consider getting one. They are worth their weight in gold.

Before plating the pasta on a platter, I had added all of the cooked guanciale. The original recipe called for adding only half to the sauce and using the other half to sprinkle over the top of the dish. I suppose one reason was to make sure everyone gets a few pieces on their plate. Glossing over that little detail, I added all of the cooked guanciale to the sauce. Having tasted the Amatriciana Estiva, I would do the same thing again.

Have a bowl of some additional freshly grated cheese available on the table for those who love their pasta heavily draped. Whatever you do, don't buy the pre-grated, pre-packaged pecorino romano cheese. It doesn't taste the same as freshly grated. Really, seriously, it doesn't.

I could, but probably shouldn't, eat this Amatriciana Estiva weekly for the rest of my life. I don't even know where to begin in describing this Amatriciana Estiva. If I used even half of the adjectives that came to mind when I took my first bite, I wouldn't come close to doing justice to this deceivingly simple, intensely flavorful and deeply satisfying dish. I could not think of a more fitting pasta dish to serve at a celebratory dinner.

With summer cherry tomato season just around the corner, I am predicting Amatriciana Estiva will be making regular appearances on the dinner table here.

RecipeAmatriciana Estiva (Summer Amatriciana) - an ever so slight adaptation to Katie Perla's and Kristina Gill's Amatriciana Estiva recipe shared in their 'Tasting Rome: Fresh Flavors & Forgotten Recipes from an Ancient City" cookbookIngredients1 teaspoon good quality extra-virgin olive oil3 to 3 1/2 ounces Guanciale, cut into matchsticks1 large garlic clove, smashed1 pound cherry tomatoes and 1/2 pound of San Marzano tomatoes (or 1 1/2 pounds cherry tomatoes), cut in half6-8 fresh basil leaves, torn into pieces1/2 cup (2 ounces) Pecorino Romano, finely grated, dividedSea Salt1 pound bomboletti style pasta (short, ridged, tubular shaped)Additional grated Pecorino Romano for servingDirections1. Begin to bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil while you make the sauce.2. Heat olive oil in a heavy bottomed pan over low heat. When oil begins to shimmer, add the guanciale. Cook, stirring, until golden brown and crisp (approximately 10 minutes).3. Using a slotted spoon, transfer guanciale to a plate lined with a paper towel. Set aside.4. Pour rendered fat into a measuring. Return half of the rendered fat back to the pan. 5. Over medium-low heat, add garlic. Cook until it turns golden (approximately 4-6 minutes).6. Add tomatoes. Increase heat to medium and cook until the tomatoes lose their shape (approximately 10 minutes). Stir in basil.7. When water reaches a rolling boil, add at least 1 tablespoon of sea salt. When salt had dissolved, add the pasta. Cook until very al dente. 8. Remove pasta from the pot using a skimmer (reserve pasta water) and add to sauce. Stir to coat.9. Add enough pasta water (approximately 1 cup) to barely cover the pasta. Add more water as needed.10. When pasta is al dente, remove pan from the heat.11. Add 1/4 cup of the grated Pecorino Romano. Stir until cheese has melted. Add all of the cooked guanciale (or alternately add only half of the guanciale, reserving it for sprinkling over the top of the plated pasta).12. Season to taste with sea salt.13. Transfer to a serving platter. Top with remaining 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese and, if not already mixed in, the remaining guanciale. Serve immediately. 14. Optional: Serve with some additional grated cheese.Notes: (1) This dish is best served warm, but even at room temperature it remained delicious. (2) The first time you make this, use only one clove of garlic. I would bet you won't be tempted to increase the amount the garlic the next time you make it. (3) Use the ripest cherry tomatoes you can find.

Friday, May 5, 2017

Happy Cinco de Mayo! However you decide to celebrate, I hope it includes some great food and beverages. And it goes without saying, a really good tequila! One of the great things about the foods typically enjoyed on Cinco de Mayo is they are all great year round. I mean, can you imagine if we waited to eat guacamole and drink margaritas once a year? The mere thought of this is almost unfathomable. So here are some recipes to include in your fiesta as well as in any of your upcoming gatherings.

Monday, March 20, 2017

Happy first day of spring! Here's to the return of fat-bellied robins, green lush landscapes, farmer's markets, outdoor entertaining, planting herbs, and taking my bicycle out for long rides. The older I get the more I appreciate what the change in seasons brings. Particularly feelings of self-renewal. Longer days, warmer weather, and more vibrant landscapes always increase my energy level. Not that I am a slacker by any sense of the imagination, but I just seem to operate on a slightly higher ramped up level when spring arrives. However, I am not quite sure I am ready to put all of that energy into the kind of use the person who shall remain nameless would like to see. Cleaning out and organizing closets/dresser or purging things that haven't seen the light of day in decades aren't exactly the things I like to do with my energy surge. Although life would probably be so much easier if I didn't have to spend so much time looking for things. Maybe this will be the year. Anything is possible.

For as much as I love eggs, cheese, and most vegetables it's rather surprising there are not more frittatas in my life. Considering they are so much easier to make than an omelet, quiche, a chorizo and egg piperade, uovo al forno (baked eggs), or even herb and cheese baked eggs, frittatas should be making more regular appearances at my table. Sometimes some kind of push or some kind of wake up to call is all I need to get back to making foods with great flavor and versatility. This time it came in the form of a dinner at my sister's house. Yes, that would be my one and only younger sister, the one who manages to discover some really great recipes before I do.

If anyone has a flair for making vegetarian dishes feel substantial, satisfying, and deeply flavorful, it would be Yotam Ottolenghi. And his recipe for this frittata does not disappoint. It is everything a frittata should be and then some. It is hearty, it is a savory custard, it feels indulgent, it and it could not be easier to make.

The smoky mozzarella, an aged cheddar, some creme fraiche, dijon mustard, and a sweet smoky paprika give this frittata a depth of flavor unlike any other frittata you have ever had. It isn't just the combination of ingredients used, it's the amount of each of them in relationship to the number of eggs (only 6).

There are two parts to this frittata: the egg custard and the cauliflower.

But let me also spend some time talking about some of the ingredients in the custard. From the smoky mozzarella (scamorza), to the aged cheddar, to the dijon mustard, to the freshly chopped chives, to the creme fraiche, to the sweet smoky paprika, the ingredients in this frittata matter. When looking for the mozzarella, you may come across cheese labeled only as scamorza. Unless it says smoky scarmorza, you don't want to buy that cheese. The smoked mozzarella will have a very light brown, thin skin on it and it will come in either ball or sliced form. When choosing a cheddar, look for any white cheddar two years or older. The smokey sweet paprika adds a complex flavor to the frittata. The original recipe called for 2 teaspoons (which I used), however, by reducing the amount to 1 1/2 teaspoons you would still be able to keep the focus on the flavor rather than on the heat and smokiness. If you haven't cooked with smokey sweet paprika before, I would recommend you use only 1 1/2 teaspoons the first time you make this frittata. Instead of the richness that cream brings to most frittatas, this one uses creme fraiche. It's thicker, less tangy, and richer in flavor than sour cream. It is also slightly more expensive than sour cream. If there was ever a time to not think about cost, this would be one of those times. And last but not least, there is the dijon mustard. The frittata is made with two, yes two Tablespoons of it. Not all dijon mustards are the same. Choose a really good one (see note below for a recommendation).

The cauliflower goes through a two step cooking process before the custard is added to it. In a pan of boiling water, a small head of cauliflower cut into bit sized florets, are cooked until semi-cooked (approximately 4-6 minutes). Not too soft, not hard would be the non-technical way of defining semi-cooked. Drained and dried, the cauliflower florets are then cooked cooked in olive oil until lightly golden brown (approximately 5 minutes). Pressing on the florets lightly with a spatula helps to sear or brown them.

With the cauliflower lightly golden brown, the custard is poured into the pan. Working quickly, use a fork to spread the cauliflower evenly in the pan. Over medium heat, the frittata cooks on top of the stove for approximately 5 minutes. After sprinkling some of the remaining grated cheese over the top the pan goes into the preheated 375 degree (F) oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the frittata is set.

After removing the frittata from the oven, allow to rest for several minutes before cutting into wedges and serving. While it is best served hot out of the oven, I found myself picking at some of the room temperature leftovers and feeling as happy as I was taking a warm bite of it.

If making this frittata for lunch or dinner, simply serve with a peppery green salad tossed with a light (champagne or lemon) vinaigrette, and some warm bread. To make it even heartier (and appeal to the non-vegetarians in the group), bring some grilled steak to the table. And yes, the idea for the grilled steak came from my sister. The perfectly done (medium-rare) thick strip steaks served at dinner were made by my grill master brother-in-law.

Celebrate the arrival of spring this weekend by serving this frittata for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. Open up a good bottle of wine and invite friends or family over. When serving this frittata for brunch, day drinking is allowed and encouraged.

RecipeSmoky Cauliflower Frittata (inspired by Yotam Ottolenghi's Smoky Frittata recipe from his cookbook "Plenty: Vibrant Vegetable Recipes from London's Ottolenghi"Serves 4 to 6Ingredients1 small head of cauliflower, cut into medium florets6 large eggs4 Tablespoons creme fraiche2 Tablespoons dijon mustard 1 1/2- 2 teaspoons sweet smoked paprika3 Tablespoons finely chopped chives5 ounces smoked mozzarella or smoked scamorza, coarsely grated (including skin for extra flavor)2 ounces aged (at least 2 years old) cheddar, coarsely grated1/2 teaspoon kosher salt1/4 teaspoon black pepper2 Tablespoons good quality olive oilDirections1. Simmer the cauliflower in a large pan of boiling water for 4-6 minutes, or until semi-cooked. Remove from boiling water and allow to dry on a paper towel lined plate.2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees (F).3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs creme fraiche, dijon mustard, and sweet smoked paprika. Make sure the eggs and creme fraiche are thoroughly blended.4. Stir in the chives and 3/4 of the grated cheeses. Season with kosher salt and pepper.5. Heat olive oil in a medium sized (10 inch) ovenproof frying or cast iron pan. Fry the semi-cooked cauliflower for about 5 minutes, or until lightly golden brown on at least one side. Note: Press down lightly with a spatula to get brownness on one side of the cauliflower.6. Pour the egg mixture over the cauliflower. Working quickly, use a fork to spread the cauliflower evenly in the pan. Without continuing to stir, cook frittata on medium heat for about 5 minutes.7. Scatter remaining 1/4 of the grated cheeses over the top and place pan in oven.8. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until frittata is set.9. Remove from oven. Allow to rest several minutes before cutting into wedges. Serve immediately.Notes: (1) I used 2 teaspoons of the sweet smoked paprika (and loved the flavor), however, may consider reducing to 1 1/2 teaspoons the next time I make it. (2) My favorite dijon mustard is Maille. (3) Use a good quality frying pan (preferably one non-stick) or a cast iron pan when making the frittata. Lodge makes great cast iron pans. (4) Served with an arugula salad lightly tossed with a champagne or lemon vinaigrette you have a perfect meal. (5) Leftovers, if you have any, can be reheated in the microwave.

Monday, January 9, 2017

The number of private fitness centers, yoga, bar, and pilates studios, and indoor cycling facilities located in my hometown have increased significantly over the past couple of years. They almost rival the number of local restaurants. Last year at this time I can now honestly admit I was a little intimated to go into any of them. It seemed everyone I saw walking into or working in them looked as if they could be featured on the next covers of Women's/Men's Fitness, Self, or Shape magazines. I imagined their physical and cardio endurance, flexibility, and strength to be at the same levels as Olympians. Even having one of those well-coordinated, stylish, high tech, high end workout wardrobes wasn't enough to give me the confidence to walk into any of those intimidating places. I felt 'invisible' running on the streets and running path with my friends, however, the idea of being in rooms surrounded by mirrors was almost too much for my insecure self to handle. Remember the episode on Friends where Chandler, in response to Monica's claim the camera added ten pounds to her prom picture, asked her 'So how many cameras were actually on you?'. Well, in a weird sort of way, that irrationally explains how I feel standing in a room of "circus" mirrors (if cameras add ten pounds, mirrors must add...twenty?). Fortunately, all (well maybe a significant amount) of that paralyzing anxiety subsided and I found myself not just walking by, but walking in to a fitness center and yoga studio. What could have caused such a significant shift in attitude? Reading a significant number of articles on the importance of cross-training to improve my running and health? Nope. A running injury subsequently leading me to discover some my internal body levels were more than a little less to be desired? Nope. Being surrounded by a small circle of friends (aka 'my posse') who also wanted to experience better versions of themselves? Yep.

Unscientific proof there really can be positive, transformational power emanating from the colloquialism 'the more the merrier'. Or is it 'misery loves company'? Whether it's one or the other or both, my perceptions, endurance, and strength have all changed for the better. Although mirrors still make me anxious.

This past weekend I had a craving for oatmeal. Growing a little tired of my usual yogurt, almonds, and dried cranberries concoction, I needed something warm to eat. Something on the healthy side.

I came across a baked oatmeal recipe made with two of my favorite fruits: bananas and blueberries. Only I don't like them together in the same dish. So I made a few changes to it.

Nuts, oatmeal, and blueberries. A health food trifecta!

Combine them with some real maple syrup, whole milk, heavy cream, an egg, a little bit of melted butter, some sea salt, baking powder, and a generous amount of cinnamon and you have the makings of a deeply delicious, satisfying baked oatmeal dish.

Surprisingly fresh blueberries were available at the grocery store this week. However, you can use frozen ones. Additionally, you can make this baked oatmeal with other fruit combinations. Blueberries and blackberries, blueberries and raspberries, or blueberries, blackberries and raspberries are just a few of them. In assembling the baked oatmeal, two thirds of the oatmeal lines the bottom of a buttered glass or ceramic baking dish. The remaining one third will end up sprinkled over the top.

Think of this Baked Blueberry Oatmeal dish as a layered one. Blueberries on the bottom, followed next by the oatmeal/nut mixture, then the maple sugar/milk mixture, and finally a finish of more blueberries and walnuts.

In a preheated 375 degree (F) oven, the oatmeal bakes for 35-45 minutes or until the top is beautifully browned and the oatmeal is set. Maybe because my baking dish was deep, my baking time was slightly over the 45 minute mark.

After removing from the oven top with the remaining one and a half tablespoons of melted butter and allow the Baked Blueberry Oatmeal to rest for about five minutes before serving. Pouring a little maple syrup over the top of each individual serving is optional, but one of those options that should be required.

If you are looking for a new breakfast or brunch dish to serve your family, friends, or posse, make this one. In a little more than hour, the entire Baked Blueberry Oatmeal can be assembled, baked and served. But make it for yourself as it reheats perfectly. Quite possibly you might find yourself craving oatmeal even more after tasting it. Sort of like me now craving yoga and high intensity workouts now that I experienced them.

RecipeBaked Blueberry Oatmeal (slight adaptation to Heidi Swanson's Baked Oatmeal recipe from her book Super Natural Every Day: Well Loved Recipes from My Natural Foods Kitchen)Ingredients2 cups old-fashioned oats (Recommend Quaker Old-Fashioned Oats)1/2 cup walnut halves, toasted, coarsely chopped and divided1/3 cup pure maple syrup1 teaspoon baking powder1 1/2 - 2 teaspoons cinnamon1/2 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt1 1/2 cups whole milk (See Notes)1/2 cup heavy cream1 large egg3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and divided2 teaspoons vanilla3 to 3 1/2 cups fresh blueberriesAdditional maple syrup for servingDirections1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F). Butter an 8 or 9 inch glass or ceramic baking dish and set aside.2. In a medium sized bowl, combine the oatmeal, 2/3 of the walnuts, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir to combine.3. In a separate medium sized bowl or large glass measure cup, combine the milk, cream, vanilla, maple syrup, 1 1/2 Tablespoons melted butter, and egg. Whisk to combine.4. Layer 2/3 of the blueberries on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.5. Spread the oat mixture evenly over the blueberries.6. Pour the milk/maple syrup over the top. Press down gently to ensure the oat mixture is completely submerged in the liquid.7. Scatter the remaining 1/3 blueberries and 1/3 walnuts over the top.8. Place baking dish on a baking pan. Bake for 35-45 minutes or until the top is golden and the oat mixture has set. Note: My baking time was closer to 50 minutes.9. Remove from oven and allow to rest for several minutes.10. Top with remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons melted butter and, if desired, drizzle additional maple syrup over individual servings.Notes: (1) Can use 2 cups of whole milk instead of the milk/heavy cream mixture. Or alternately use 1 cup whole milk and 1 cup heavy cream. (2) I used two teaspoons of cinnamon because I like for there to be a discernible cinnamon flavor in my oatmeal. Feel free to use only 1 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon. (3) Fresh or frozen blueberries can be used. Can also use a combination of fruits (i.e., blueberries/blackberries, blueberries/blackberries/raspberries, etc.) (4) My baking time was just slightly over 45 minutes as I had used a deep baking dish. Begin checking at 35 minutes if using a shallow baking dish. Be sure to let the Baked Blueberry Oatmeal rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. (5) This Baked Blueberry Oatmeal reheats perfectly and is as yummy as it is coming out of the oven.

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ABOUT ME

Welcome! My name is Lynn & I started this blog almost four years ago. I wanted it to be a place for sharing my love of food & photography as well as my random musings. Not only has the blog changed since it first began, but I have as well. Suffice to say we are both a work in progress. I am neither a professionally trained chef/baker nor a photographer. Rather I am someone who loves to cook, bake, entertain & capture as much beauty as I can find through the lens of my camera. I genuinely believe the world would be a much better place if we gathered around the things that connect us. For me, gathering around a table of food made with love, makes meals more memorable & deepens friendships.
The recipes shared here come from a myriad of places. From my extensive cookbook & food magazine collections, from friends & from various media outlets. Yes, some of them are my very own. I am a baker at heart, but this is a place where you will find both sweet and savory recipes. If you are new to this blog, please take some time to go through the Recipe Index. I look forward to sharing things I have learned & inspiring you to bring joy to the people in your life you care for & love.